Investigation of the preparation and tribological behavior of a frictional interface covered with sinusoidal microchannels containing SnAgCu and Ti3SiC2

Tribological behavior of 37NbCrCo steel is a key factor with regard to the service life of the gearing systems. We prepared the frictional interfaces covered with sinusoidal microchannels in 37NbCrCo material, using laser additive manufacturing. Subsequently, lubricants of SnAgCu and Ti3SiC2 were filled into the microchannels using high-temperature infiltration. On a MFT-5000 tribometer, tribological behaviors of 37NbCrCo-SnAgCu-Ti(3)SiC(2 )were superior to 37NbCrCo and 37NbCrCo-SnAgCu. Moreover, the Ti3SiC2 was wrapped into the SnAgCu alloys to ensure the formation of soft tribo-film on the high-hardness supporting layer. The following factors were responsible for the excellent friction and wear behaviors, namely: the Ti3SiC2-induced the formation of the tribo-film, plastic deformation of SnAgCu, the rolling friction of Ti3SiC2, and their cooperation functions.